Ray Thomas’ Blackbook: Fangirl set for best prep yet ahead of Apollo Stakes at Randwick

Champion trainer Chris Waller is predicting his superstar Fangirl will have her best preparation yet — and he has outlined some big race targets for the multiple Group 1 winner.

Fangirl wins the King Charles III Stakes.

Fangirl has reached her physical peak and could be set for her best race preparation as she leads Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller’s assault on the Group 2 $300,000 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick next Saturday.

This is some statement given Fangirl has already won three Group 1 races including the King Charles III Stakes and Winx Stakes this season, amassing more than $7.3 million prizemoney, but Waller hinted as much after the mare’s exhibition gallop last Saturday between races.

“She seems to have come back well,’’ Waller said. “If I could say she was a little bit stronger I think I would be pretty accurate, she is one of those late maturing horses.

“I think it came against her a few times as a three and four-year-old. As a five-year-old she is much stronger.”

Waller is likely to keep Fangirl to weight-for-age races this autumn with the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 13 the ultimate aim.

Her program will include the Verry Elleegant (formerly Chipping Norton) Stakes (1600m), then either the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) or Ranvet Stakes (2000m) before the Queen Elizabeth.

FANGIRL STORMS AWAY WITH KING CHARLES III! 👑@[e-mail]/fSH4jn5uVU

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 14, 2023

Fangirl’s stablemates crack three-year-old Militarize and talented import Buckaroo also worked between races last Saturday and will be among Waller’s Apollo Stakes entries.

“We will definitely run Fangirl and Buckaroo in the Apollo,’’ he said.

“Buckaroo’s a really professional horse, sound and has a great demeanour about him. A good attitude for a colt. The Apollo is a little bit ambitious but I’m hoping he can race well in the Chipping Norton.

“With Militarize, I’m still weighing up whether we run in the Apollo and three weeks into the Randwick Guineas or the Hobartville Stakes the following week which would enable him to race against his own age group.

“Lindermann is the only other one we will nominate for the Apollo. He lost his way a bit in the spring but he has been gelded now and has trialled very well.’’

WHAT A WIN! 🤯

MILITARIZE CLAIMS THE GOLDEN ROSE! 🌹@cwallerracing@[e-mail]/tVdpOLGeo2

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 23, 2023

Champion jockey James McDonald is nursing a left foot injury but is confident he will be fit to return to the saddle this week with Fangirl among his early rides along with the Ciaron Maher-trained Tiz Invincible in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes.

Kerrin McEvoy is likely to ride Militarize if the colt resumes in the Apollo and is also booked for the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Arctic Glamour in the Light Fingers Stakes.

Brazilian superstar Joao Moreira rode Militarize to three Group 1 wins last year including the Golden Rose and Waller hinted the jockey might return to Sydney for the autumn carnival.

“Joao is not (riding) this Saturday but I’d say at some stage he’d be in the mix,’’ Waller said.

“We have to support our main riders here in Australia first and foremost but if we are having trouble, Joao will get a call for sure.”

Waller also confirmed his boom, unbeaten colt Switzerland will continue his Golden Slipper preparation in the Pierro Plate (1100m).

Switzerland was hugely impressive on debut beating Castanya and that filly has franked the form with her Lonhro Plate win last Saturday.

“He has trained on really well,’’ Waller said of Switzerland with an announcement about the Coolmore-owned colt expected early in the week.

“He seems a pretty serious horse, very professional and I think he has come on with the run. He’s still putting on weight and developing as well which is a good sign for a two year old.”

YOU CAN BET ON IT

Fully Lit (race 7) was heavily backed to win the Inglis Millennium and duly landed the plunge.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Fully Lit firmed from $3.60 into $2.90 with bets of $5000 at $2.60, $5,000 at $2.70, $3000 at $3 and $3,000 at $2.80.

Caballus (race 6) was virtually friendless in betting before Eskimo Prince Stakes, easing from $4.80 to $8.

But the Bjorn Baker-trained Caballus held a race fitness edge over his rivals and was able to score a comfortable win. Some of the bets on the young sprinter included $1100 at $6.50 and multiple bets of $1000 at $4.80 and $4.60.

What a way to light up the field in the $ 2 million @inglis_sales Millennium 🔥

Fully Lit in full control with @Reganbayliss on board for @GaiWaterhouse1 👏 pic.twitter.com/Oy1ORSdqtv

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) February 10, 2024

FIVE TO FOLLOW

Fully Lit (race 7) showed he is a legitimate Golden Slipper contender when he covered extra ground and still won the Inglis Millennium comfortably. Unbeaten in two starts, Fully Lit has tactical speed, impressive acceleration and the rare ability to absorb pressure.

Makarena (race 6) ran a blinder first-up in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, closing fast for second behind Caballus. The Team Hawkes-trained Makarena is a very talented filly and will be hard to beat in the Group 1 Surround Stakes next start.

Amor Victorious (race 9) scored another impressive win. He has a high cruising speed that gets his rivals off the bit and chasing a long way out. Amor Victorious has won both starts this preparation and he’s improving with racing.

Rag Queen (race 7) was back near last on the turn but charged through the pack to finish third. Trained by David Payne, Rag Queen’s run was outstanding from a filly having only her second start.

Key Largo (race 8) ran the best ninth you will see in the race won by Brudenell. Key Largo’s sectionals were the fastest of the day and although he is not getting any younger, this first-up efforts suggests he will win again soon.

TURF TALK

“From the top of the straight on Caballus, I knew with this horse’s turn of foot and with his race-fitness as well, there was no way they were going to beat him. His turn of foot was electric,’’ jockey Josh Parr said.

“Caballus is the second-best horse I have trained after Ozzmosis,’’ trainer Bjorn Baker said.

“Fully Lit has taken us a little by surprise but with two-year-olds, you are never sure what level they might reach because they can improve so quickly. He is certainly going in the right direction, that’s for sure,’’ trainer Adrian Bott said.

“Rag Queen is so green and raw so it was great to see the way she finished off. She has a lot of growing up to do but she was really strong late. She’ll be worth the wait with the engine she’s got,’’ jockey Jason Collett said.

“I was amazed at the odds for Castanya today. She was big odds first-up as well, but she’s just the most beautiful filly, so laid-back. The nice thing with her is she is strong late so the further we go the better she is going to get,” trainer Annabel Neasham said.

CRUNCH TIME

Rag Queen (race 7) powered home from back in the field to finish third in the Inglis Millennium, sprinting her final 600m in 33.83s including 11.61s closing 200m sectional. She was the runner in the field to break 34s for the 600m split.

Makarena (race 6) ran on strongly for second in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, recording a final 600m sectional of 33.21s including a closing 200m split of 11.36s.

Castanya (race 2) charged home to win the Lonhro Plate, recording a brilliant 32.99s for her final 600m.

Derry Grove (race 8) ran on strongly wide out to finish the closest of seconds, recording 32.72s for his final 600m.

Key Largo (race 8) ran the fastest closing 600m of the meeting with a 32.52 split but his momentum was slowed inside the final 200m when he was crowded for room.

STEWARDS SAY

Celerity (race 2) turned her head at the start and lost two lengths. She then raced keenly at the rear of the field through the early and middle stages before finishing fourth.

Infinitive (race 3) was held up for clear running from the 400m until passing the 200m. She ran fourth, beaten only a length.

Nymphadora (race 7) raced very wide and without cover throughout the event. She finished sixth, beaten less than two lengths was full of merit given her tough run.

El Morzillo (race 7) had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight, then was checked inside the 200m when disappointed for a run between Trunk and Odinson, which shifted out. El Morzillo ran ninth.

Acappella Sun (race 10) was held up for clear running in the early part of the straight. From the 300m until approaching the 200m was unable to be fully tested when being shifted to the outside of runners to obtain clear running before finishing fast for third.

RANDWICK SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY

RUN OF THE DAY

Caballus may have had an important run under his belt but he put away a good looking field with style. After sitting wide with no cover the good looking son of I Am Invincible sprinted quickly and is a horse with a nice future.

New stakes winner for I Am Invincible with Caballus (3c I Am Invincible x Calming Influence) for @BBakerRacing

A million dollar yearling and subsequent great buy at @inglis_sales Digital Oct(Early) for @Darby_Racing at $315k. Has won both runs since changing hands.… pic.twitter.com/r2DkPFiz78

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) February 10, 2024

FORGET THEY RAN

I don’t think she would have won but the Queensland filly El Morzillo should have gone a whole lot closer than ninth in the Inglis Millennium. She was in the worst part of the track and hit plenty of hurdles trying to secure clear running.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

It was hard to miss the finishing sprint of the good looking Makarena in a moderately run race. She could be up to the top group of three-year-old fillies. The other to keep an eye on is Belvedere Boys who should have no problem winning a Tab Highway in the near future.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Dylan Gibbons produced the gem of the day putting Brudenell in a perfect position early and get his nose out in front in a four-way finish. It was the difference between winning and losing.

NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD

What’s on in NSW racing this week:

Tuesday: Hawkesbury

Wednesday: Kensington

Thursday: Grafton

Friday: Canterbury (night), Quirindi

Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle, Lismore (Country Championships)

Sunday: Albury (Country Championships), Dubbo

Originally published as Ray Thomas’ Blackbook: Fangirl set for best prep yet ahead of Apollo Stakes at Randwick